A TOWN HALL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14908, 5 March 1914, Page 5

A TOWN HALL.

SITE QUESTION DISCUSSED

ADDRESS BY CR. A. S. TAYLOR

A public meeting convened by the St. Albans Burgesses' Association to discuss the question of the Town Hall site was held in tho Dover street Hall last night. Mr A. D. Hassall, the president of tho Association, was in tho chair and there was a fair attendance. Tho Chairman, in opening the meeting, welcomed back Mr G. Hyde, prominent member of the Association, who has been on a trip to England. Referring to the object of the meeting, he pointed out that in the early days of tho city it possessed a Town Hall which was, unfortunately, destroyed by lire. Ho believed that the peoplo ought to determine the site of the Town Hall. He asked Cr. A. S. Taylor to address the meeting. Cr. Taylor, who was received with applause," said that the Council felt that the Town Hall question was one of the utmost importance, and the Council was determined to give the citizens an opportunity to vote upon it. Christchurch would be the last to make provision for a Town Hall, but he hoped that its effort in that direction would not bo the least. In ten years, at tho present rate of progress, tho population of the city would reach 100,000, and thero was a likelihood that the population at the end of the period mentioned would bo much greater. It was, therefore, necessary to look well ahead. As to the site, the essentials were that it should be central, accessible, and near the main traffic routes. It wa.s also necessary to have a site architecturally suitable. Another question, was'whether a site should be purchased, or a site in the possession of tho Council should be used. Those who advocated buying a sito had failed to indicate how the matter was to bo financed. They must remember that there was every' likelihood of a deficiency, and the ratepayers would have to make up their minds to tho fact that tho Town Hall would require assistance from the rates. He thought there were three sites that might be considered practicable sites—the rotunda site the Provincial Council site, and the Cambridge terraco site (opposite the rotunda). The Council, with one exception (Cr. Hunter), voted for the rotunda site. That sito was originally reserved for a Town Hall. The rotunda site was largo enough, tho area being 2 roods 9 perches. The Council's committee had considered the objection that to build a hall on the site mentioned would be to reduce the open spaces in the city, but against that was the fact that there.was much open land in the vicinity. It was also probable that the old firo brigade station would be removed in time and the site mado a reserve. The suggestion was'that the front of tho hall should face Cook and "Ross's, and that thero would l>e a high basement. If the citizens decided not to reduce the open spaces of tho city, then there remained the Provincial Council site, and they should go for it out and out. ,

Replying to questions, Cr. Taylor said that there would be no difficulty in letting the present municipal buildings for business purposes.

Mr G. E. Franklin moved—"That this meeting respectfully urges on the City Council the advisableness of purchasing the block of land and buildings, known as Moore's property, on Cambridge terrace, for a Town Hall." He pointed out that the rent from shops that would he erected would bo sufficient to meet the interest on the cost of tlie site. If the citizens had faith in the fufhre of tho city they would not be deterred by the financial problems involved.

Mr F. Cole seconded the motion, and said that the Council, in selecting a site because it would not cost anything, was not taking up the proper attitude in respect to a question of such magnitude and importance. Whilst ho believed that they ought to expend £10.000 in purchasing the best possible site in the city, he wa.s of opinion that just at the present .juncture the ratepayers would not vote for a loan for a Town ITdl.

•M» - 0. Hyde moved ns an amendment —"That the Council should take into consideration the purchase of a sito eaf.'-wa'-d of the Cambridge terrace site.''

C'r. Tavior, rcnlving to a nucstion. said tha*-. there was no machinery iri the Municipal Corporations Act for taking a referendum on a question like selecting a Town Hall site. There ought to be some such machinery.

Mr' G. Moore seconded the amendment, which was lost.

Mr Gulliver moved a further amendment to the effect, that the Council bo asked to consider the question of securing His Majesty's Theatre for the purposes of a Town Hall. This was lost, and the motion was negatived by 4 votes to 3. A motion was agreed to protesting against the selection of the rotunda site. Cr. Taylor was accorded a vote of thanks. STATEMENT BYCHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. Cr. J. McCullough, chairman of the Town Hall Committee, explained to a "Press" reporter yesterday exactly what was involved in the proposal, especially as far as the site is concerned. Cr. McCullough said it was proposed to erect the building on the sito in Victoria square where tho band rotunda now stands. This site is triangular in shape, being bounded by Victoria street, Colombo street, and tho terrace on the north side. The area is three roods nine perches, and it is proposed to build over the whole site, also over the roadway between the river and the present boundary if extra space is wanted, and if the Council approves. Tlio band rotunda will bo removed to the reserve on the opposite side of Victoria street, where the Queen's statue now stands, and it is proposed to place the statue either in front of the new Town Hall near the intersection of Victoria and Colombo streets, or on the river bank opposite the Supreme Court. As far as the building is concerned. Cr. McCullough said that nothing definite will be known as to its design until the competition was concluded. What the committee had done so far was to set out generally what was required—a main Town Hall, a smaller hall and offices, the whole area to be used to the best advantage. The assistant surveyor had been asked to draw up the conditions for the competition, and was now engaged on that work.

Cr. McCullough added that if the roadway at the back of the site were utilised it might be possible to leave sufficient.space in front of the building to place the Queen's statue there, and also the Godley statue.